The Honda CB-1 NC27 was a naked street bike first made in 1989 for Honda’s domestic Japanese market. As a result, it has an engine of unusual displacement at 399cc, a size not generally seen outside of Japan. However, this motorcycle was imported into both the US and Canada, with many arriving on UK shores as a gray import. Another unique quality of this particular Honda street bike was that it was designed to be easy to use, with surprisingly good fuel efficiency. While praised by motorcycle critics and loved by riders, the CB-1 NC27 never caught on as popular as other Honda motorcycles, and production stopped in 1990.
The Honda CB-1’s liquid-cooled 399cc engine definitely lived up to the hype, delivering 55bhp at 10,000rpm. This was more than enough to propel the 400-pound CB-1 NC27 to speeds in excess of 110 mph. The bike came with 41mm telescopic front forks and a Pro-Link component monoshock in the rear. These worked very well to provide a comfortable driving experience at high speeds, while the 70-17 tires came with disc brakes for safer handling and stability.
Riders also loved the Honda CB-1 NC27’s low seating position, which was very similar to the larger Honda CBR600. The first and second gear ratios were also more in tune with the larger bikes, giving CB-1 owners an advantage starting from a standstill. Equipped with a typical Honda six-speed racing gearbox, the Honda CB-1 NC27 was a fun and exciting ride. One unique thing was that even with its sporty performance, this Honda bike gave efficiency figures of up to 50 mpg, depending on riding conditions. With its 2.7-gallon fuel tank and good efficiency, the CB-1 is a good touring bike.
An important point is that the Honda CB-1 was also sold in some countries under the name CB400F. However, this was a marketing decision in certain export markets to connect with the original CB400F (1974). If you look closely, the 1989-90 CB400F bikes are actually identical to the CB-1 NC27. Today there are very few CB-1 bikes left in good condition, they are still in demand by collectors and enthusiasts. In the UK, original spare parts are hard to come by, except from a few expert dealers. The air filter is especially important, as the CB-1 NC27 engine tends to overheat if there are leaks in the intake duct. However, the Honda CB-1 NC27 still offers a real dose of power with surprisingly low running costs, so if you do get your hands on one, consider yourself lucky!
